Preload assembly for roller bearings

ABSTRACT

A preload assembly for bearings comprising in combinations a threaded bolt, an anti-rotational washer, a serrated edge locking washer, and a threaded locking nut having a shallow outer profile and at least four locking notches in an outer edge thereof.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/158,054 filed on Jan. 26, 2021 for which priority is claimed.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The applicant is unaware of any prior art in this field.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a preload assembly for roller bearings. Thepreload assembly for bearings comprises a threaded bolt. The threadedbolt has a predetermined length and a threaded shaft that has apredetermined diameter. The threaded bolt has an enlarged head. Theenlarged head comprises a compression head and a center mounted hex headwherein the compression head is larger in diameter than the hex head.The compression head has a channel surrounding the hex head forming awall around the hex head and there is a slot formed in the wall toreceive a locking tab. There is an outside surface on the compressionhead that has a predetermined number of threads thereon. The threadedbolt has a predetermined overall length.

There is a first anti-rotational washer. The first anti-rotationalwasher has a center opening which is larger than the bolt and enlargedhead, but smaller than the axle on which the assembly is to be used. Thefirst anti-rotational washer has two side surfaces. There is an insidesurface and an outside surface. The inside surface has a shallow recesslarger in diameter than the axle. The outside surface is a raisedsurface that has a diameter larger than the axle. The center opening hascontained therein a first locking tab that aligns with the slot in thewall.

There is a serrated edge locking washer.

There is a locking nut that has a shallow outer profile and at leastfour locking notches in an outer edge thereof.

The present invention is a preload assembly for bearings wherein thelength of the threaded shaft is from 0.750 to 3.00 inches; there are 7to 27 threads on the threaded shaft; the diameter of the threaded boltis from 0.625 to 0.875 inches.

In addition, the threaded compression head has from 6 to 18 threads;first anti-rotational washer inside surface shallow recess has adiameter of from 2.0 to 3.0 inches; the anti-rotational washer insidesurface shallow recess has a depth of from 0.001 to 0.062 inches; theoutside surface raised surface has a diameter of from 2.0 to 3.2 inches;the outside surface raised surface has a height of from 0 to 0.062inches.

The outside surface of the threaded locking nut is biased downwardlyfrom a center to an outside edge and the entire assembly is covered by ahub.

In one embodiment of the invention, there is a threaded bolt having apredetermined length and a threaded shaft that has a predetermineddiameter. The threaded bolt has an enlarged head. The enlarged headcomprises a compression head and a center mounted hex head. Thecompression head is larger in diameter than the hex head. Thecompression head has a channel surrounding the hex head forming a wallaround the hex head.

There is a slot formed in the wall to receive the locking tabs, anoutside surface of the compression head has a number of predeterminedthreads thereon. The threaded bolt has a predetermined overall length offrom 1 inches to 3 inches and a diameter of 1 inch to 2 inches.

There is another embodiment of this invention, which is a method ofpreloading bearings in a wheel assembly the method comprises preparingan axle with roller bearings and races. The axle has a bolt stud with athreaded center bore on an outside end.

The preload assembly is created by inserting the threaded bolt into thebolt stud then sliding an anti-rotational washer over the threaded boltto interface with the axle, then sliding the serrated edge lockingwasher against the anti-rotational washer then threading the threadedlocking nut onto the compression head and turning and threading againstthe serrated edge locking washer and all components. The assembly isthen tightened by using a torque wrench to tighten the threaded nut to apre-prescribed torque.

The method described Supra can have an additional step that provides ahub covering over the preload assembly.

The first anti-rotational washer configured for use in a preloadassembly for bearings has a center opening which is larger than the boltand enlarged head, but smaller than the axle on which the assembly is tobe used. The anti-rotational washer has two side surfaces, an insidesurface and an outside surface. The inside surface has a shallow recesslarger in diameter than the axle. The outside surface is a raisedsurface that has a diameter larger than the axle. The center opening hascontained therein first locking tab that aligns with the slot in thewall.

In a second embodiment there is a second anti-rotational washerconfigured for use in a preload assembly for bearings. The secondanti-rotational washer has a center opening which is larger than thebolt and enlarged head, but smaller than the axle on which the assemblyis to be used. The second anti-rotational washer has an inside surface.The inside surface has a shallow recess larger in diameter than theaxle, but no raised surface on the opposite side. The center opening hascontained therein a first locking tab that aligns with the slot in thewall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a full side view of the preload assembly for roller bearingsshowing a partial axle which is not part of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a full top view of the threaded bolt.

FIG. 3 is a full side view of the threaded bolt.

FIG. 4 is a full top view of the threaded locking nut.

FIG. 5 is a full side view of the threaded locking nut.

FIG. 6 is a partial view of the threaded locking nut taken at point P ofFIG. 5 .

FIG. 7 is a full top view of the first anti-rotational washer with araised surface.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of FIG. 7 through line A-A.

FIG. 9 is a full front view of the serrated edge locking washer.

FIG. 10 is a full side view of the serrated edge locking washer.

FIG. 11 is a full top view of the second embodiment of theanti-rotational washer.

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of FIG. 11 through line B-B showing noraised surface on the front surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the preload assembly 2 for roller bearings. The preloadassembly for bearings 2 comprises a threaded bolt 4. The threaded bolt 4has a predetermined length and a threaded shaft that has a predetermineddiameter. The threaded bolt 4 having an enlarged head 6. The enlargedhead 6 comprises a compression head 10 and a center mounted hex head 8.The compression head 10 is larger in diameter than the hex head 8. Thecompression head 10 has a channel 12 surrounding the hex head 8 forminga wall 14 around the hex head 8 and there is a slot 16 (shown in FIG. 2) formed in the wall 14 to receive the locking tabs 70 (shown in FIG. 9). There is an outside surface 20 of the compression head 10 that has apredetermined number of threads 22 thereon. The threaded bolt 4 has apredetermined overall length.

There is a first anti-rotational washer 30. The anti-rotational washer30 has a center opening 32 that is larger than the bolt and enlargedhead, but smaller than an axle 24 (FIG. 1 ) on which the preloadassembly 2 is to be used. The anti-rotational washer 30 has two sidesurfaces. There is an inside surface 34 and an outside surface 36 (shownin FIGS. 7 and 8 ). The inside surface 34 has a shallow recess 38 largerin diameter than the axle 24. The outside surface 36 is a raised surface40 that has a diameter larger than the axle 24. The center opening 32has contained therein first locking tab 42 that aligns with the slot 16in the wall 14.

There is a locking nut 26. The locking nut 26 has a shallow outerprofile 48 and at least four locking notches 50 in an outer edge 52thereof.

In FIG. 1 there is shown the roller bearings 54 and wheel hub 68 notpart of the invention. Seals 56 are first mounted on the axle 24. Thefirst roller 54 is slid onto the axle 24 to a predetermined point on theaxle 24. Then a second roller bearing 54 is slid onto the axle 24. Thehub 68 is then mounted on the axle. The threaded bolt 4 is then threadedinto the bolt stud and tightened. The anti-rotational washer 30 is slidinto position next. The serrated edge locking washer 44 is added next.Then the locking nut 26. Then the threaded bolt 4 is threaded into theend of the axle 24. It has been discovered that the length and diameterof the thread of the threaded bolt 4 and the lock nut 26 gives the exactamount of torque placed upon the bearing assembly 2 to create thecorrect load for the preloaded bearing assembly 2.

The present invention is a preload assembly for bearings 2 wherein thelength of the threaded shaft 60 is from 0.750 to 3.00 inches.

FIG. 2 shows the threaded bolt 4 from the top. The preload assembly forbearings 2 comprises a threaded bolt 4. The threaded bolt 4 has apredetermined length and a threaded shaft 60 that has a predetermineddiameter 62 (FIG. 3 ). The threaded bolt 4 has an enlarged head 6. Theenlarged head 6 comprises a compression head 10 and a center mounted hexhead 8. The compression head 10 is larger in diameter than the hex head8. The compression head 10 has a channel 12 surrounding the hex head 8forming a wall 14 around the hex head 8 and there is a slot 16 formed inthe wall 14 to receive the first locking tab 42 (FIG. 7 ). There is anoutside surface 20 of the compression head 10 that has a predeterminednumber of threads 22 thereon. The threaded bolt 4 has a predeterminedoverall length.

FIG. 3 shows the threaded bolt 4 from the side. The preload assembly forbearings 2 comprises a threaded bolt 4. The threaded bolt 4 has apredetermined length and a threaded shaft 60 that has a predetermineddiameter 62. The threaded bolt 4 has an enlarged head 6. The enlargedhead 6 comprises a compression head 10 and a center mounted hex head 8.The compression head 10 is larger in diameter than the hex head 8. Thecompression head 10 has a channel 12 surrounding the hex head 8 forminga wall 14 around the hex head 8 and there is a slot 16 formed in thewall 14 to receive a first locking tab 42 (FIG. 7 ). There is an outsidesurface 20 of the compression head 10 that has a predetermined number ofthreads 22 thereon. The threaded bolt 4 has a predetermined overalllength.

FIG. 4 shows the threaded locking nut 26 from the top. The locking nut26 has a shallow outer profile 48 and at least four locking notches 50in an outer edge thereof 52. There is an inside surface 66 that isthreaded which thread onto the outside surface 20 of the compressionhead 10.

FIG. 5 shows the threaded locking nut 26 shown from the side. Thelocking nut 26 has a shallow outer profile 48 a thickness of from 3/16inch to 1 inch (FIGS. 5 and 6 ) and at least four locking notches 50 inan outer edge thereof (FIG. 4 ). There is an inside surface 66 that isthreaded and threads to the outside surface 20 of the compression head10 from the side. FIG. 4 shows the threaded locking nut 26 from the top.The locking nut 26 has a shallow outer profile 48 and at least fourlocking notches 50 in an outer edge thereof.

FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of the threaded locking nut 26 taken atpoint p on FIG. 5 .

FIG. 7 shows the anti-rotational washer 30 from the top. Theanti-rotational washer 30 has a center opening 32 which is larger thanthe bolt and enlarged head, but smaller than the axle 24 on which thepreload assembly for roller bearings 2 is to be used. Theanti-rotational washer 30 has two side surfaces. There is an insidesurface 34 and an outside surface 36. The inside surface 34 has ashallow recess 38 larger in diameter than the axle 24. The outsidesurface 36 is a raised surface 40 that has a diameter larger than theaxle 24. The center opening 32 has contained therein a first locking tab42 that aligns with the slot 16 in the wall 14. The raised surface 40rests against the serrated edge locking washer 44 which creates a gap atthe outer edge allowing access to the serrations of the serrated lockwasher 44 to allow for manipulation of each serration to fold into thelocking notches 50. The inside surface shallow recess 38 allows thebearing 54 to come into contact with the anti-rotational washer 30 andbe tightened without deforming the bearing 54.

FIG. 8 shows the anti-rotational washer 30 from the side. Theanti-rotational washer 30 has a center opening 32 which is larger thanthe bolt 4 and enlarged head 10, but smaller than the axle 24 on whichthe preload assembly for roller bearings 2 is to be used. Theanti-rotational washer 30 has two side surfaces. There is an insidesurface 34 and an outside surface 36. The inside surface 34 has ashallow recess 38 larger in diameter than the axle 24. The outsidesurface 36 is a raised surface 40 that has a diameter larger than theaxle 24. The center opening 32 has contained therein a first locking tab42 that aligns with the slot 16 in the wall 14.

FIG. 9 shows the serrated edge locking washer 44 from the top. Theserrated edge locking washer 44 has second locking tab 70.

FIG. 10 shows the serrated edge locking washer 44 from the side.

FIG. 11 shows the second embodiment of an anti-rotational washer 30 fromthe top. The anti-rotational washer 30 has a center opening 32 which islarger than the bolt and enlarged head, but smaller than the axle 24 onwhich the preload assembly for roller bearings 2 is to be used. Theanti-rotational washer 30 has two side surfaces. There is an insidesurface 34 and an outside surface 36. The inside surface 34 has ashallow recess 38 larger in diameter than the axle 24. The outsidesurface 36 that has a diameter larger than the axle 24. The centeropening 32 has contained therein first locking tab 42 that aligns withthe slot 16 in the wall 14. The outside surface is not raised. Thisembodiment is for use on a non-drive axle.

FIG. 12 shows the second embodiment 39 of the anti-rotational washerfrom the side. The anti-rotational washer 39 has a center opening 32which is larger than the bolt 4 and enlarged head 10, but smaller thanthe axle 24 on which the preload assembly for roller bearings 2 is to beused. The anti-rotational washer 39 has two side surfaces. There is aninside surface 34 and an outside surface 36. The inside surface 34 has ashallow recess 38 larger in diameter than the axle 24. The outsidesurface 36 that has a diameter larger than the axle 24. The centeropening 32 has contained therein first locking tab 42 that aligns withthe slot 16 in the wall 14. The outside surface 36 is not raised. Thisembodiment is used on a non-drive axle.

The anti-rotational washer 30 or 39 is slid into place at the back ofthe serrated edge locking washer 44 with the indented side towards theaxle. The anti-rotational washer 30 also has a first locking tab 42.This first locking tab 42 also fits into the slot 16. The serrated edgelocking washer 44 has a second locking tab 70 that allows the serratededge locking washer 44 to fit tightly against the locking nut 26 and fitinto the slot 16 locking it into the locking nut 26. The outside surface36 is a raised surface 40 that has a diameter larger than the axle 24and fits against the serrated edge locking washer 44.

The preload assembly for bearings 2 comprises a threaded bolt 4. Thethreaded bolt 4 has a predetermined length and a threaded shaft that hasa predetermined diameter. It has been discovered that when the threadedbolt 4 is rotated for insertion into the bolt stud the predeterminedthread length regulates the position of the bearings relative to theaxle. The outer end of the assembly 2 is covered with a small hub 64(see FIGS. 5 and 6 ) which fits over the low profile locking nut and thebolt end.

The first embodiment of the anti-rotational washer is designed for driveaxles, the second embodiment of the anti-rotational washer is designedfor non-drive axles.

There is a method of preloading bearings in a wheel assembly the methodcomprising preparing an axle with roller bearings and races wherein theaxle has a threaded bolt stud in an outside end. Provide a hub 68 on theaxle 24. Assemble the preload assembly by inserting the threaded boltinto the threaded bolt stud and tightening.

Proceed by sliding the anti-rotational washer over the threaded bolt tointerface with the axle. Continue by sliding the serrated edge lockingwasher against the anti-rotational washer. Then thread the threadedlocking nut onto the compression head and turning the locking nutagainst the serrated edge locking washer and all other components.Finish by using a torque wrench to tighten the threaded locking nut to apre-prescribed torque.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of preloading bearings in a wheelassembly said method comprising: i. preparing an axle with rollerbearings and races, said axle having a threaded bolt stud in an outsideend; ii. assemble said preload assembly by: b. inserting a threaded boltinto said threaded bolt stud; c. sliding an anti-rotational washer oversaid threaded bolt to interface with said axle on a recess side of saidanti-rotational washer; d. sliding a serrated edge locking washeragainst said anti-rotational washer; e. threading a compression head ofsaid threaded bolt against a threaded locking nut and further thread thethreaded locking nut against said serrated edge locking washer, saidanti-rotational washer, and said roller bearings; wherein said threadedbolt has a predetermined length, a threaded shaft having a predetermineddiameter, and an enlarged head which comprises said compression head anda center mounted hex head, said compression head being larger indiameter than said hex head, said compression head further having achannel surrounding said hex head forming a wall around said hex head,there being a slot formed in said wall to receive a locking tab, and anoutside surface of said compression head having a plurality of helicalthreads thereon; wherein said anti-rotation washer has a center openingwhich is larger than said threaded bolt and enlarged head, but smallerthan the axle, said anti-rotational washer further having two sidesurfaces, an inside surface and an outside surface, said inside surfacebeing the recess side and having a shallow recess larger in diameterthan said axle said outside surface being a raised surface having adiameter larger than said axle, said center opening having containedtherein a first locking tab that aligns with said slot in said wall;wherein said serrated edge locking washer has a second locking tab; andwherein said threaded locking nut has a center opening and, a shallowouter profile, and at least four locking notches in an outer edgethereof; f. use a torque wrench to tighten said threaded locking nut toa pre-prescribed torque.
 2. The method as claimed in claim 1 whereinthere is a step f. that provides a hub covering over said preloadassembly.